Birth Defects and Specialized Care of Premature Infants Having a healthy pregnancy is important to all women who chose to have a child. Eating healthy and exercising is good for the mother and baby; however, some pregnancies no matter how cautious the mother may be it can end unexpectedly in a premature birth. This can be devastating and cause extreme heartache for the parents or caregivers of the infant. Premature infants can suffer from many different birth defects, and end up spending months in the hospital; therefore, racking up high medical bills. Premature infants require specialized care to treat possible birth defects; however, having an infant with one can cause heartache and stress for the parents and caregivers. What is a premature infant? In Nadine Jacobson’s article, Premature Infants, “A premature infant can be defined as one being born before thirty-seven weeks of gestation” (4.2). Very premature infants will be born between twenty-two weeks and twenty-eight weeks gestation. A full term pregnancy is usually between thirty-seven to forty weeks gestation. This will be measured by the first day of the mother’s last menstrual period. The Prematurity Campaign states, “Every year, more than half a million babies are born prematurely in the United States. The rate of premature birth has risen by thirty percent since 1981” (web). Premature infants’ survival rates depend on when in gestation they were born, additionally the mother’s health and previous medical history, and if she is pregnant with multiples can greatly affect the length of pregnancy. The mother’s age, height, and weight can be a factor as well as if she abuses drugs. In the article, Primary, secondary, and tertiary interventions to reduce the morbidity of preterm birth “The most common causes of preterm birth are high blood pressure, hemorrhage, fetal distress, or intrauterine growth.” (Iams,et.al) However, there are some “risk factors for preterm birth, ethnicity, family history, infections, maternal characteristics, socioeconomic status, multiple pregnancies, smoking, substance abuse, and air pollution” (Johansson and Cnttigius).Doctors resort to many different treatment methods to help prevent premature birth, for example, some doctors recommend bed rest and or drug therapy. Some studies show the use of progesterone can maintain cervical integrity and give anti-inflammatory effects (Iams, et.al). Some doctors do a cervical cerclage, which is stitching of the mother’s cervix; in doing this, it holds the cervix together to keep the baby in the uterus from entering the birth canal. However, these methods may or may not work for some mothers. The survival rates stated by Premature Infants are “20 weeks or less: 0 % survival rate, 22 weeks: 0-10% survival rate, 23 weeks: 10-35 % survival rate,24 weeks: 40-70% survival rate, 25 weeks: 50-80 % survival rate, 26 weeks: 80-90 % survival rate, and 27 weeks: greater than 90% survival rate (Jacobson). When an infant is born premature, they require specialized care; therefore, a large staff of specialists and nurses will be on hand to care for these fragile infants. Once a premature infant is born, and stabilized then the infant is taken to a special care unit called the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or NICU for short. Having a baby in the NICU can be overwhelming, for the parents with all the machines, lights, sounds, and the large amount of staff that works there. While the infant is in the NICU the staff that will care for the infant includes a Neonatologist, a doctor that specializes in premature infants and all the special health issues they can have. Nurses, Respiratory therapists are specialist managing the breathing machines that some of the infants require. Occupational and Physical Therapists help with the positing and monitoring of the infant’s eating habits to see if they need help learning how to eat correctly. There might be a nutritionist on staff to monitor the babies, to see if they need...

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...SECTION 1
1.1 introduction
A new born baby in the family is very much awaited by all parents, but when the baby was born premature, many complications to be borne with the baby. Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia is one of the complications faced by the premature baby.
Singer.L et al(1997),mentioned in United States Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia is one of the leading cause of lung disease in low very birth weight infants(VLBW). Infants with BPD had higher rates of mental retardation, associated with greater neurologic and social risk.
Baraldi.E,Filippone.M(2007), mentioned that Northway et al(1967) described firstly that Brochopulmonary Dysplasia is a new chronic respiratory disease developed in prematureinfants exposed to mechanical ventilation and oxygen supplement. They also suggesting that lifelong consequences may be experienced by those babies affected with lung injuries.
According to May.C et al (2006), they mentioned that common adverse outcome of very premature birth is Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia and it will results in a chronic respiratory morbidity. Adams.J.M(2011), mentioned that “Despite important advances in perinatal care and a steady decline in mortality rates among very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (1 month), emphysematous alveoli are seen. Chronic lung damage eventually causes Pulmonary hypertension (caused by thickening of the inner-most...

...babies are affected by birth defects each year. Many of these birth defects affect any part of the body including: brain, foot, heart, vision and many more. Many can affect the way you look, or the proper function of your body or both. Two major birth defects that affect infants are Omphalocele and Spina Bifida . Omphalocele is a type of hernia. This is when the liver and other abdominal organs stick out of the belly button (naval). According to the CDC, approximately 775 (1 out of every 5,386) babies are born with omphalocele each year in the U.S. Depending on how severe the hernia is, different procedures are taken. There are many forms of treatment to get rid of this hernia and to prevent any further complications. Spina Bifida is a condition that affects the spine and is usually visible at birth. It is a type of neural tube defect (NTD). Spina Bifida affects 4000 pregnancies each year in the U.S. which is an average of 11 pregnancies per day making it 1 out of every 1000 newborns in the U.S. born with this defect. These two medical conditions are major birth defects that affect a child each minute making it important to know how to treat it after knowing the infant is born with a defect.
Before a infant is born, a birth defect can be found before birth, at birth or any time after birth. Many defects can be found within the first year and many are easy to see, but others are not (such as heart defects or hearing loss)...

...Mother and Infant
Introduction
The relationship of mother and child is arguably one of the most common interactions in existence among all species in the animal kingdom. This is not to say however that prevalence diminishes the value of this relationship but rather emphasizes its’ importance. It is logical to assume that the mother-infant relationship possesses characteristics and qualities which have proven to be evolutionary advantageous due to the fact that the mother-infant relationship is an unavoidable part of life amongst the phylum mammilla. One theory in which offers a possible explanation presents the belief that “the early relationship between mother and baby has a major impact on the child's later cognitive, emotional and social development” (Paradice 1), in turn enriching the ability of the infant to interact within its’ respective society and therefore, proving the relationship to be evolutionary advantageous. Music is one of the many structures which facilitate the creation of this bond due to its communicative aspects. More specifically, this phenomenon occurs in both the prenatal and postnatal environment as well as within lullaby music. Considering the fact that responses of the infant in early stages of life are strictly behavioural (Holditch-Davis 1), communication in this case refers to linguistic, behavioural, and emotional interactions. Music as a communicative tool is...

...Discuss disparities related to ethnic and cultural groups relative to low-birth-weight infants and preterm births. Describe the impact of extremely low-birth-weight babies on family and society (short and long term, including economic considerations, ongoing care considerations, and comorbidities associated with prematurity). Discuss whether you feel that support services and systems in your community for preterm infants and their families adequately address their needs or not. Explain your answer. Respond to other learners' posts in a manner that initiates or contributes to discussion.
Low birth weight and preterm births remain the most significant contributors of infant mortality and morbidity in the U.S. (Xiong, Pridjian, & Dickey, 2013). According to Sparks (2009), the percentage of preterm births varies greatly among different ethnic and racial groups. This often relates to the socioeconomic status of the parents, sociodemographic profile, or behaviors during pregnancy, all of which very among cultures “in a manner that might explain the racial/ethnic variation in preterm births” (Sparks, 2009, p. 1668). Sparks (2009) further states, “there is a need to better understand the existence and possible explanations” (p. 1667) for the racial and ethnic disparities because of the effect they have on early childhood outcomes such as poor health, development, and educational issues.
One of the characteristics that likely leads to...

...Infant Mortality in the United States
Trends in infant mortality are considered to be a
barometer of technology and an accurate indicator of the
health of a society. Despite technological excellence and
numerous social programs offered throughout the country, the
infant mortality rate (IMR) in the United States continues to
be a national concern. For many, "infant mortality" brings
to mind the deprivation and poverty found in third world
countries. Yet in the United States, nearly 40,000 children
die every year for some of the same reasons that cause
infant death in underdeveloped parts of the world
(Anderson, 1987).
Infant mortality is prevalent in this country
despite a richly developed and technologically advanced
society. According to the Census Bureau, the IMR in the United States has dropped almost 66 percent in the past three decades (Eberstadt, 1991). In 1960, out of every thousand babies
born, 26 died within their first year of life. By 1991, that
number had dropped to less than nine out of every thousand
babies (Eberstadt et al., 1991). According to the US
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the US infant mortality rate in 1987 was higher than in 23 other countries
or territories, including most of Western Europe, Hong
Kong, and Singapore. The US infant mortality rate was...

...amount of oxygen the unborn baby receives and will affect growth and development. Babies are more likely to be born premature or lighter, these affects can be long lasting effects on health.
Substance abuse: The drugs enter the mothers bloodstream then cross via the placenta into the baby the effect of drugs can be devastating, especially when the foetus is in the first 12 weeks of growing.
Alcohol: Alcohol can enter the babies bloodstream inn the same way as drugs do, again in the first 12 weeks when mums don’t know there are carrying then can have devastating news. A condition called foetal alcohol which causes negatively affects aspects of children’s cognitive development including their concentration.
Infections: Infections mothers can pick up during pregnancy can affect the development of the foetus, where as a cold wont harm a the baby, however food poisoning ,German measles or even a sexually transmitted disease can put the unborn baby at risk. Rubella causes sight and hearing problems.
Maternal health: Some woman can develop complications inlcuding diabetes, pre-elcampisia which can be fatal, if left untreated this can effect mum and foetus.
Maternal diet: woman don’t need a special diet however there are recommend to stay away from unpasteurized cheese, soft cheese blue cheeses because it could contain some bacteria which can cause miscarriage, premature delivery or severe illness to the newborn baby.
Birth trauma: During...

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Epidemiology
Elisabeth Coble
December 22, 2014
NUR408
Michelle Hogsed
University of Phoenix
Premature babies are considered a vulnerable population. They are at risk for many complications of prematurity such as anemia, hypoglycemia, Cerebral Palsy, retinopathy, and necrotizing enterocolitis (Mayo Clinic, 2014). Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating condition that occurs in the premature baby’s bowel in which the cells lining the bowel wall are injured (2014). This injury can occur in premature babies after they start feeding. The infant mortality rate for NEC is 12.5 of 100,000 live births (Fitzgibbons, et al, 2009). This paper will define epidemiology and describe the epidemiological triangle as it relates to NEC. Types of epidemiology will also be discussed, cultural considerations of vulnerable populations such as African Americans, and various levels of prevention of NEC will be examined.
Necrotizing enterocolitis is a devastating inflammatory bowel disease of the newborn primarily affecting premature babies (Gibbons, et al., 2008). This disease is characterized by ischemic necrosis of the lining of the intestines. Premature babies are at particular risk of developing NEC, and the focus is on reducing exposure to risk factors and implementing interventions that will prevent the disorder such as human milk feeding and the avoidance of hypertonic formulas (2008)....

...Factors and Hazards of Infant Development
Pregnancy is a very momentous occasion in a woman’s life. I have yet to experience the miracle of being pregnant, but I could only imagine the various thoughts and emotions that run through a mother-to-be’s head. In the midst of all the excitement that comes with planning for a new baby, parents tend to forget how important maternal health is for prenatal development; The three factors or hazards I feel that are the most important for parents to understand or remember during and for prenatal development are alcohol consumption, smoking and second-hand smoke inhalation, and chemical and drug intake.
Alcohol is a vice of many. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2.45% of women over the age of 18 in the United States have at least one drink daily (that’s 7,668,500 people). With alcoholism a problem that doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon, it’s important that all women who are expectant mothers need to know about the effects alcohol consumption can have an a fetus during it’s development. Serious consequences, including a greater risk of miscarriages, stillbirths, prematureinfants, low-birth-weight in infants, and fetal death, occur when alcohol is consumed during pregnancy (Marotz and Allen, 2012, p. 58). Different amounts of consumption can causes different fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs): Heavy or binge drinking leads...